System for anchoring frames to a platform

ABSTRACT

A system ( 20 ) for anchoring a vehicle frame ( 22 ) to a platform ( 24 ) utilizes a variety of securement components ( 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48 ) to secure the vehicle frame ( 22 ) from movement at desired locations while the vehicle frame ( 22 ) is being aligned with pulling forces applied by pulling towers ( 26 ). The securement components ( 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48 ) are held on cross beams ( 28, 30 ) which mount to anchoring stands ( 32 ), and the anchoring stands ( 32 ) are attached to the platform ( 24 ). The securement components include a rail vise ( 34 ), a C-channel clamp ( 36 ), a leafspring shackle ( 38 ), L-clamps ( 40,41 ), a slide plate ( 42 ), ahole adapter ( 44 ), a tie-down ratchet assembly ( 46 ), and a turnbuckle assist ( 48 ). The rail vise has two guide channels ( 78, 80 ) which slidably receive guide pins ( 114 ) therein. The guide pins ( 114 ) extend from a front movable clamp leg ( 74 ). The leaf spring shackle ( 38 ) includes an L-shaped base plate ( 152 ) and a clamp member ( 154 ), which cooperate to clamp a mounting bracket (158) of a leaf spring (176) therebetween. The hold adapter ( 44 ) includes a reference hole insert ( 216 ) sized and configured to fit in a reference hole ( 226 ) of the vehicle frame ( 22 ) with slip clearance. The hole adapter ( 44 ) also includes an adapter ring ( 232 ) for larger reference holes ( 230 ). The tie-down ratchet assembly ( 46 ) includes a tie-down strap ( 244 ) and a ratchet mechanism ( 248 ) which is operative to incrementally tension the strap ( 244 ).

RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/306,937 filedMay 7, 1999.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to systems for securing vehiclesundergoing vehicle frame alignment and, more particularly, to securementcomponents used to secure vehicles at desired locations for framealignment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] When a vehicle body has been damaged, the frame or chassis of thevehicle is frequently distorted. To correct the frame distortion,various locations of the vehicle frame are secured from movement andpulling force is applied to the vehicle frame in a desired direction ata desired location. To achieve alignment, multiple pulling forces can beapplied at various locations on the vehicle frame until alignment isachieved as taught by U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,997,283, 5,251,013, and 5,801,834to Danielson et al. which are hereby fully incorporated herein byreference.

[0004] While pulling forces are being applied, it is important that theselected locations are securely held by the securement components tosubstantially prevent movement. Conventional securement components aregenerally adequate to secure vehicle frames after they are attached, butsome of these securement components are difficult to attach to vehicleframes and lack the ability to attach to vehicle frames in a sufficientvariety of desired locations.

[0005] Thus, reduction in the labor and time required to attachsecurement components is desirable to decrease the time required toperform vehicle frame alignments and lower the cost of aligning vehicleframes. It is also desirable to increase the accuracy and efficiency ofvehicle frame alignments by providing securement components capable ofattaching to vehicle frames in a wide variety of desired locations.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] There is, therefore, provided in the practice of the invention aplurality of novel securement components which are capable of attachingto a wide variety of vehicle frame members to increase vehicle framealignment accuracy and efficiency. These components are portions of asystem for anchoring frames and include spring shackle, rail vise,tie-down ratchet assembly, and hole adaptor securement components. Eachcomponent preferably includes a mounting mechanism, so that they can beslidably mounted on a cross beam.

[0007] The spring shackle securement component includes an L-shaped baseplate and a clamp member adjustably coupled with the base plate forclamping the vehicle frame between the base plate and the clamp member.An attachment member is used to adjustably couple the base plate and theclamp member

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, the spring shackle securementcomponent also has a reinforcing frame to strengthen and reinforce thebase plate, and the attachment member is threaded. Various clamp membersare provided for versatility: a U bracket, a half cylinder, and a flattorsion bar. The half cylinder is preferably mounted on one side of thetorsion bar which can be inverted.

[0009] The rail vise securement component has a rigid base plate with aguide channel and an actuator leg extending upwardly from the baseplate. A back clamp leg is also attached to the base plate, and amovable clamp leg, which has a guide pin extending into the guidechannel, is moved relative to the base by an actuator supported by theactuator leg.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the base plate has a second guidechannel and the movable clamp leg has a second guide pin extending intothe second guide channel. The actuator is preferably threaded, and asecond actuator is also provided. A guide handle extends through theactuator leg and attaches to the movable clamp leg, so that an operatorcan easily move the movable clamp leg back and forth.

[0011] The hole adaptor securement component has a substantiallycylindrical reference hole insert. The insert is configured and sized tofit with generally slip clearance into a vehicle frame reference hole.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the hole adapter includes a base plateto support the insert, and the insert is positioned at a location awayfrom the center of the base plate. An adapter ring is provided with acentral opening to receive the insert therein. The adapter ring is sizedto fit with generally slip clearance in larger reference holes ofvehicle frames.

[0013] The tie-down ratchet assembly securement component utilizes anelongated tie having a free end held by a tie attachment in a desiredlocation. A ratchet mechanism operatively engages the tie toincrementally decrease a portion of the length of the tie between itsfree end and the ratchet mechanism.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the ratchet mechanism is mounted on abase plate, and the tie attachment utilizes a pin removably mounted onthe base plate. The tie is a strap flexible over both its width andlength for maximum versatility. The tie-down ratchet is preferably usedin combination with the other securement components which can beprovided with tie attachments to secure the free end of the tie indesired locations.

[0015] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to providean improved system having improved securement components for anchoringframes to a platform to align the frames.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] These and other inventive features, advantages, and objects willappear from the following Detailed Description when considered inconnection with the accompanying drawings in which similar referencecharacters denote similar elements throughout the several views andwherein:

[0017]FIG. 1 is a top view of a system, according to the presentinvention, for anchoring frames to a platform whereby the frames arealigned by application of pulling forces;

[0018]FIG. 2 is a side view of the system and the platform of FIG. 1;

[0019]FIG. 3 is an enlarged and fragmentary top view of a rail visesecurement component and a hole adapter securement component, accordingto the present invention;

[0020]FIG. 4 is a fragmentary rear view in partial cross section of therail vise of FIG. 3;

[0021]FIG. 5 is a fragmentary side view of the rail vise and anchoringstand of FIG. 3 in combination with a tie-down ratchet assemblyaccording to the present invention;

[0022]FIG. 6 is an enlarged vertical cross sectional view of the railvise of FIG. 3;

[0023]FIG. 7 is an enlarged vertical cross sectional view of the railvise of FIG. 3 taken centrally through the rail vise;

[0024]FIG. 8 is a fragmentary rear view illustrating the rotationalcapabilities of cross beams extending from anchoring stands to mount thesecurement components for attachment to frames;

[0025]FIG. 9 is a fragmentary top view of a C-channel clamp securementcomponent, according to the present invention;

[0026]FIG. 10 is a vertical cross sectional view of the C-channel clamptaken along line 10-10 in FIG. 9;

[0027]FIG. 11 is a fragmentary side view in partial cross section of aleaf spring shackle securement component, according to the presentinvention;

[0028]FIG. 12 is a fragmentary top view in partial cross section of theleaf spring shackle taken from the prospective of line 12-12 in FIG. 11;

[0029]FIG. 13 is a fragmentary end view in partial cross section of theleaf spring shackle taken from the prospective of line 13-13 in FIG. 11;

[0030]FIG. 14 is a fragmentary end view of the leaf spring shackle ofFIG. 11, illustrating an alternate clamp member;

[0031]FIG. 15 is a fragmentary side view of the spring shackle of FIG.11, illustrating a second alternate clamp member;

[0032]FIG. 16 is a fragmentary end view in partial cross section of theleaf spring shackle and the second alternate clamp member of FIG. 15;

[0033]FIG. 17 is a fragmentary end view in partial cross section of twoL-clamp securement components;

[0034]FIG. 18 is a fragmentary side view of the two L-clamps taken fromthe prospective of line 18-18 in FIG. 17;

[0035]FIG. 19 is a fragmentary top view of the two L-clamps taken fromthe prospective of line 19-19 in FIG. 17;

[0036]FIG. 20 is an end view in partial cross section of a singleL-clamp securement component used to clamp onto a C-channel vehicleframe member;

[0037]FIG. 21 is a fragmentary view in vertical cross section of theL-clamp taken along line 21-21 in FIG. 20;

[0038]FIG. 22 is a side view in partial cross section of the L-clamp ofFIG. 20 and a slide plate, according to the present invention;

[0039]FIG. 23 is a fragmentary view in partial cross section of the holeadapter of FIG. 3;

[0040]FIG. 24 is a vertical cross sectional view of the hole adaptertaken along line 24-24 in FIG. 23;

[0041]FIG. 25 is a vertical cross sectional view of the hole adapter ofFIG. 3 in combination with the tie-down ratchet assembly of FIG. 5;

[0042]FIG. 26 is a fragmentary top view of a turnbuckle assist,according to the present invention, and

[0043]FIG. 27 is a side view in partial cross section of the turnbuckleassist of FIG. 25.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] Referring to the drawings in greater detail, FIGS. 1 and 2 show asystem 20 that anchors vehicle frames 22 to a platform 24 for alignmentof the frames 22 by application of pulling forces generated by pullingtowers 26. The system 20 includes a plurality of securement componentsoperable to clamp onto the frames 22 in a variety of locations. Thesecurement components are mounted on crossbeams 28,30 which aresupported above the platform 24 by anchoring stands 32. The securementcomponents include a rail vise 34 (FIGS. 3-7), C-channel clamp 36 (FIGS.9 and 10), leaf spring shackle 38 (FIGS. 11-16), L-clamps 40, 41 (FIGS.20-22), slide plate 42 (FIG. 22), hole adaptor 44 (FIGS. 23-25),tie-down ratchet assembly 46 (FIGS. 3, 5, and 25), and turnbuckle assist48 (FIGS. 26 and 27). After the vehicle frame is positioned on theplatform 24, the platform is raised by a lift mechanism 49, so that thevehicle frame is positioned at a convenient height for an operator toclamp the securement components onto the desired vehicle frame members.

[0045] Referring additionally to FIG. 3, the system 20 utilizes aplurality, preferably four, of the adjustable height anchoring stands 32mounted on the platform 24. The operation of the anchoring stands andtheir features are more fully described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,344,314 toAldrich et al., which is hereby fully incorporated herein by reference.The cross beams 28, 30 are mounted on the anchoring stands. The longcross beam 28 extends between two opposed anchoring stands andpreferably has a length greater than the width of the vehicle frame 22.The short cross beam 30 cantilevers from the anchoring stand 32. Bothtypes of cross beams are made up of parallel and substantiallyrectangular rails 50 which are spaced apart to define a mounting gap 52therebetween. The mounting gap 52 has a desired gap width for mountingthe securement components. The long cross beam 28 has a central support29 to strengthen the cross beam. The short cross beam 30 utilizes an endplate 54 to secure the distal ends of the rails 50.

[0046] Referring to FIG. 8, the cross beams 28, 30 (FIGS. 1 and 3) aremounted onto the anchoring stands 32 with fasteners 56, which extendthrough arcuate slots 58 in the baseplates 60 of the cross beams. Thearcuate slots 58 allowthe crossbeams and any securement componentsmounted thereon to rotate around a substantially horizontal axis. Thecross beams also include several apertured tabs 62 for connection to theturnbuckle assist 48. The tabs 62 extend from the end plate 54 and thebase plate 60.

[0047] The top plate 64 of the anchoring stand 32 also includesapertures 66 for attachment of the turnbuckle assist 48.

[0048] Referring to FIGS. 5, 6, and 7, the rail vise 34 includes a baseplate 68, an actuator leg 70, a back clamp leg 72, and a preferablymovable front clamp leg 74. An actuator 76 is provided to move the frontclamp leg 74 relative to the base plate 68 and clamp the vehicle framebetween the clamp legs 72, 74.

[0049] The base plate 68 is substantially rigid and defines at least oneguide channel 78. Preferably the base plate 68 defines a second guidechannel 80 which is spaced apart from and substantially parallel to thefirst guide channel 78. The guide channels 78, 80 are spaced apart andeach includes a lower enlarged recess 82. The base plate also defines amounting aperture 84 with a counter bore 85, which is generallycentrally located through the flat base plate 68. A mounting mechanism86 is provided with a threaded collar 88 having an enlarged diameterportion 90 which mates with the counter bore 85 to hold the collar inthe mounting aperture. A fastener 92, preferably a bolt, extends througha bottom mounting plate 94, between the rails 50 of the cross beam 30and threads into the collar 88, which also extends between the rails 50of the cross beam 30. A washer 96 is preferably interposed between thehead of the fastener and the bottom mounting plate 94. Substantiallyidentical mounting mechanisms 86 are utilized for the leaf springshackle 38, the L-clamps 40, and the slide plate 42. The mountingmechanism 86 allows an operator to slide the securement component alongthe length of the cross beam and rotate the securement componentrelative to the cross beam around a substantially vertical axis untilthe mounting mechanism is tightened to fix the securement component.

[0050] The actuator leg 70 is substantially rigid and fixedly attachedto the base plate at an end of the base plate and extends substantiallyperpendicularly up from the base plate 68. The actuator leg, which isgenerally rectangular, defines at least one actuator receptacle 98 whichoperatively receives the actuator 76 therein. Preferably the actuatorleg defines a second actuator receptacle (not shown), which operativelyreceives a second actuator 102 therein. The actuator receptacle 98preferably comprises threaded apertures. Thus, the actuators 76, 102 arepreferably bolts threaded over their entire length and operativelyengage the movable front clamp leg 74 at one end. The actuator leg 70also defines a guide handle aperture 104 which slidably receives a guidehandle 106. The guide handle 106 extends through the guide handleaperture 104 and attaches generally centrally to the movable clamp leg74. The actuators 76, 102 are positioned on opposite sides of andvertically higher than the guide handle 106.

[0051] The back clamp 72 is substantially rigid and is preferablyfixedly attached to the base plate 68 opposite the actuator leg 70. Theback clamp 72 is generally rectangular and extends upwardly from thebase plate substantially parallel to the actuator leg 70. The back clamppreferably includes a plurality of back teeth 108 operative to securethe rectangular vehicle frame member 110 and inhibit sliding of theframe member 110 relative to the rail vise 34.

[0052] The movable front clamp leg 74 includes front teeth 112, whichfunctionally cooperate with the back teeth 108 to secure the vehicleframe member 110. The front clamp leg 74 is substantially rigid and hastwo guide pins 114 (only one shown), having enlarged heads 116 oppositethe front clamp leg, to inhibit separation of the front clamp leg fromthe base plate. The guide pins extend downwardly from the front clampleg 74 and extend into the guide channels 78, 80 defined in the baseplate 68. The enlarged heads 116 of the guide pins are received in therecesses 82 of the guide channels, thereby securing the movable clampleg to the base plate while permitting the movable clamp leg to sliderelative to the base plate. Thus, the guide pins 114 are slidablyreceived in the guide channels 78, 80 and operate to guide the frontclamp leg as it moves relative to the base plate. The movable frontclamp leg also includes a tie-down strap attachment 118, comprised oftwo opposed aperture arms 120, 122 extending upwardly from the top ofthe front clamp leg. The arms are preferably formed by an integralU-bracket. The apertures of the arms 120, 122 are aligned to receive aremovable pin 124. The front clamp leg 74 is positioned between andsubstantially parallel to the actuator leg 70 and the back clamp leg 72.The front clamp leg defines two actuator recesses 126 facing theactuator leg. The actuator recesses 126 receive the actuators 76, 102therein and permit the actuators to rotatably slide relative to thefront clamp leg 74 so that the actuators can be threaded in and out ofthe actuator leg.

[0053] The actuators 76, 102 are threadably received in the actuator leg70, so that rotation of the actuators moves the front clamp leg 74between the actuator leg and the back clamp leg 72. To clamp the framemember 110, the actuators 76, 102 are rotated to push the movable clampleg 74 towards the back clamp leg. To release the frame member 110, theactuators are rotated so that they retract from the frame member. Themovable clamp leg 74 can then be pulled away from the frame member 110by grasping the guide handle 106.

[0054] Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the C-channel clamp 36 includes aC-plate 128 having parallel downwardly extending legs 130, 132positioned on opposite edges of the C-plate 128. The C-plate defines acentral mounting aperture 134, which receives a mounting fastener 136therethrough. The C-channel clamp 36 also includes a base plate 138having a positioning bar 140 extending parallel to the legs 130, 132 ofthe C-plate 128. The positioning bar 140 engages one of the legs of theC-plate to properly position the C-plate. A spacer plate 142 can also bepositioned between the base plate 138 and the rails 50 of the cross beam30 to adjust the height of the base plate.

[0055] One leg 130 of the C-clamp is positioned within a C-channel framemember 144 to clamp the C-channel frame member 144 between the leg 130and the base plate 138. The other leg 132 of the C-plate 128 engages thebase plate 138 and the positioning bar 140. The mounting fastener 136 istightened to securely the clamp the C-channel frame member 144therebetween. The base plate 138 also defines a mounting aperture 146,and the spacer plate 142 defines a mounting aperture 148. The mountingapertures 146, 148 slidably receive the mounting fastener 136. Themounting fastener 136 cooperates with a bottom apertured mounting plate150 to form a mounting mechanism for the C-channel clamp.

[0056] Referring to FIGS. 11, 12, and 13, the leaf spring shackle 38includes a rigid base plate 152, a clamp member 154, and an attachmentmember 156 adjustably coupling the base plate 152 and the clamp member154. The base plate 152 cooperates with the clamp member 154 to clampthe vehicle frame 22 at its spring/suspension mounting bracket 158 whichhas an irregular configuration and is therefore difficult to clamp onto.

[0057] The base plate 152 is generally L-shaped and includes a base leg160 and an upwardly extending leg 162 positioned at an end of the baseleg. The base plate is preferably integrally formed by bending theupwardly extending leg 162 until it extends at an angle of approximately90° to the longer base leg 160. The base plate is preferablystrengthened by a reinforcing frame 164, including a bottom plate 166adjacent and attached to the base leg 160 and an upright plate 168adjacent and attached to the upwardly extending leg 162. The base leg160 and the bottom plate 166 include generally central mountingapertures 170 to receive the mounting collar 88 of the mountingmechanism. The bottom plate 166 is preferably larger than the base leg160 and defines attachment apertures 172 positioned on opposite sides ofthe base leg and generally opposite to the upwardly extending leg 162and to the upright plate 168. If desired, a spacer plate 174 ispositioned between the base leg 160 and the leaf spring 176 whichattaches to the mounting bracket 158.

[0058] The clamp member 154 preferably comprises a flat torsion bar 178having an arcuate clamp member 180, preferably a half-cylinder, fastenedto one side. The clamp member 180 receives the attachment member 156which preferably comprises a pair of fasteners extending through thetorsion bar and threading into the attachment apertures 172, defined inthe bottom plate 166. The torsion bar 178 is positioned on the top ofthe leaf spring 176, so that the leaf spring 176 is held between thetorsion bar and the base leg 160. The leaf spring shackle 38 ispositioned, so that the upwardly extending leg 162 engages the mountingbracket, thereby inhibiting lateral movement of the spring bracket 158relative to the leaf spring shackle 38.

[0059] Referring to FIG. 14, the torsion bar 178 is invertible, so thatthe arcuate clamp 180 can be extended downwardly to engage and clamponto a cylindrical trail arm vehicle frame member 182. The arcuate clamp180 is configured and sized to match the outer surface of the trail arm182 and receive approximately half of the trail arm therein. Referringto FIGS. 15 and 16, if the vehicle has a wide leaf spring 184, such thatthe fasteners of the torsion bar cannot extend to either side of theleaf spring 184, a U-bracket attachment member 186 having the necessaryspacing between its legs 188, 190 receives the leaf spring 184, the baseleg 160, and the bottom plate 166 between its legs 188, 190. A clamp bar192 receives the legs 188, 190 and is forced against the bottom plate166 by nuts 194 which thread onto the legs of the U-bracket 186.

[0060] Referring to FIGS. 17, 18, and 19, if there is insufficient roomfor the leaf spring shackle 38, the fastener of the suspension mountingbracket 159 is removed and L-clamps 40, 41 are positioned on either sideof the mounting bracket 159. The L-clamps 40, 41 include a base plate196 having a countersunk mounting aperture 198 to receive the mountingcollar 88 of the mounting mechanism 86. A short clamp plate 200 extendsupwardly from the base plate 196 at substantially 90° to the base plate.The clamp plate 200 defines a slot 204 extending substantiallyvertically. The slot 204 receives a conventional fastener 202. Thefastener 202 is positionable at various locations within the slot, asdesired, to properly position the fastener 202 for connection to thevehicle frame. The clamp plate is provided in varying lengths. A tallerclamp plate 206 defines a longer slot 208. The fastener extends throughthe slots 204,208 and the mounting bracket 159 to secure the mountingbracket from relative movement.

[0061] Referring to FIGS. 20 and 21, the L-clamps 40, 41 can also beused to clamp various vehicle frame members, such as the C-channel 110.The L-clamp 41 can be used with spacer plates 210 to adjust the heightof the L-clamp. The L-clamp 41 is attached to the C-channel 110 with afastener, preferably a bolt 211 and nut 213. Washers 215 are alsopreferably used.

[0062] Referring to FIG. 22, the slide plate 42 is a substantially rigidand generally flat plate having a mounting aperture 212 for engagementwith the mounting mechanism 86. The slide plate 42 can be used with thespacer plate 210. The slide plate 42 is used to provide vertical supportto the vehicle frame member being clamped, for example, with the L-clamp41. The slide plate can also be used to inhibit downward verticalmovement, while permitting the vehicle frame to slide over the top ofthe slide plate 42.

[0063] Referring to FIGS. 23, 24, and 25, the hole adapter 44 preferablyincludes a base plate 214 and a substantially cylindrical reference holeinsert 216. The insert 216 is fixedly attached to the base plate 214 anddefines a central threaded aperture 217 for threadably receiving afastener of the mounting mechanism 220, which also includes a bottommounting plate 222. The insert is centrally positioned on thecylindrical base plate. The base plate includes a mounting aperture 224aligned with the central threaded aperture 217 of the insert 216. Theinsert is configured and sized to fit with slip clearance into areference hole 226 defined in a vehicle frame member 228. The slipclearance allows the insert to be introduced into the reference hole 226with little or no force but does not permit the insert 216 to movelaterally within the reference hole 226. For larger reference holes 230an adapter ring 232 is positioned over the insert 216. The insert isintroduced into the central opening of the cylindrical adapter ring andhas a slip clearance therein. The adapter ring is configured and sizedto fit with slip clearance in a large reference hole 230 of a vehicleframe member.

[0064] Alternatively, as illustrated in FIGS. 26 and 27, an insert 234is spaced apart from the center of a rectangular base plate 236, and thebase plate defines a mounting aperture 238 to receive the collar 88 ofthe mounting mechanism 86. The insert 234 is welded into an opening 240in the base plate 236. The offset insert 234 is also configured andsized to fit into the reference opening with slip clearance. The insert234 is offset from the center, so that the cross beam can be positionedwhere it does not interfere with a hanging reflector 242 used asdescribed in the Danielson patents listed above.

[0065] Referring to FIGS. 4, 5, and 25, the tie-down ratchet assembly 46includes a tie 244, a tie attachment 246, and a ratchet mechanism 248.The ratchet mechanism 248 is mounted on a base plate 250, which issecured to the cross beam 30 by a mounting mechanism 252. The preferredratchet mechanism is available from ANCRA and can be obtained byrequesting part number 43320. A handle 254 is operatively coupled withthe ratchet mechanism 248 to incrementally tension the tie 244. Themounting mechanism 252 includes a threaded collar 256 attached to thebase plate and sized to fit in the gap 52 between the rails 50. Afastener 258 extends through a clamp bar 260 and threads into thetreaded collar 256, thereby securing the tie-down strap assembly 46 tothe cross beam.

[0066] The ratchet mechanism 248 is mounted between two upright walls262 fixedly attached to the base plate 250. The tie attachment 246comprises a pair of apertures 264 in the upright walls 262 and acylindrical pin 266 removably inserted in the apertures 264. The tie 244preferably comprises a strap having a width, length, and a free end. Thestrap is flexible over both its length and width, and the free endincludes a loop 268 which receives the pin therethrough to secure thefree end loop 268 to the tie attachment 246. The base plate 250 can bepositioned above or below the cross beam as desired, to secure thevehicle frame member from moving vertically relative to the cross beamwhen used in combination with the hole adaptor 44 or the rail vise 34,for example. The tie 244 preferably passes through the rail gap 52. Asillustrated specifically in FIG. 5, the free end loop 268 receives thepin 124 of the strap attachment 118 that is connected to the movablefront clamp arm 74 of the rail vise 34 to secure the free end loop in adesired location. The width of the tie 244 is approximately equal to thewidth of the gap 52 between the rails 50. By operating the handle asillustrated by arrow 271 in FIG. 5, the ratchet mechanism operativelyengages the tie to incrementally decrease a portion of the length of thetie between the free end loop and ratchet mechanism.

[0067] Referring again to FIGS. 26 and 27, the turnbuckle assist 48includes an extension chain 270, a threaded actuating member 272, and anattachment assembly 274 operative to attach the turnbuckle to a desiredone of the tabs 62 or the top plate 64 of the anchoring stand 32. Theextension chain terminates in a hook 276 which hooks into an opening 278in the platform 24. The actuating member 272 includes a knurled outersurface and is threaded at opposite ends to threadably receive hooks 280having threaded shafts 282. The attachment assembly 274 includes aU-collar 284 and a pin 286 extending through openings in the U-collarand one of the apertured tabs 62. A triangular bracket 288 is hookedonto by one of the hooks 280. The hooks 280 preferably comprise splithooks which receive lengths of the chain 270 in central slots 290. Byrotation of the actuating member 272 the turnbuckle can be tensioned tofurther secure the cross beam or anchoring stand and further inhibitmovement which would otherwise be caused by the pulling forces exertedby the towers 26.

[0068] In operation, a vehicle is driven on to the platform 24, and theplatform 24 is then raised by the lift mechanism 49. The anchoringstands 32 are positioned on the platform 24 and the hanging reflectors242 are put in position. The desired securement components are mountedon the cross beams with the mounting mechanisms 86 and slid into thedesired positions. After the securement components are positioned asdesired, the mounting mechanisms are tightened to inhibit relativemovement of the securement components. The securement components areattached to the vehicle frame members as described above to fix thoselocations from movement against the pulling force exerted by the towers26.

[0069] The system 20 for anchoring frames 22 to a platform 24 accordingto the present invention provides a variety of securement componentsoperable to fix a vehicle frame in an increased variety of locations.Thus, an operator is able to fix the vehicle frame where desired toproperly realign the vehicle frame with a force exerted by the towers26. Further, the securement components are more easily attached to andremoved from the vehicle frame members, so that less time is required tosecure the vehicle frame 22 for alignment.

[0070] Thus, a system for anchoring frames to a platform is disclosedwhich utilizes a plurality of versatile securement components to fix avehicle frame in almost any desired location, thereby more quicklyaligning vehicle frames with increased accuracy. While preferredembodiments and particular applications of this invention have beenshown and described, it is apparent to those skilled in the art thatmany other modifications and applications of this invention are possiblewithout departing from the inventive concepts herein. It is, therefore,to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, thisinvention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described, andthe invention is not to be restricted except in the spirit of theappended claims. Though some of the features of the invention may beclaimed in dependency, each feature has merit if used independently.

What is claimed is:
 1. A tie-down ratchet assembly securement componentfor attachment to a vehicle frame member, the securement componentcomprising: an elongated tie having a tie width, a tie length, and afree end; a tie attachment for holding the free end of the tie in adesired location; and a ratchet mechanism operatively engaging the tieto incrementally decrease a portion of the tie length of the tie betweenthe free end and the ratchet mechanism.
 2. The tie-down ratchet assemblyaccording to claim 1 wherein the ratchet mechanism is mounted on a baseplate, and the tie attachment comprises a cylindrical pin removablymounted on the base plate.
 3. The tie-down ratchet assembly according toclaim 1 wherein the tie is flexible over the tie width and the tielength.
 4. The tie-down ratchet assembly according to claim 1 whereinthe tie comprises a flexible strap.
 5. The tie-down ratchet assemblyaccording to claim 1 wherein the tie attachment comprises a pin, and thefree end comprises a loop for receiving the pin.
 6. The tie-down ratchetassembly according to claim 1 further comprising a mounting mechanismfor slidably mounting the securement component on a cross beam.
 7. Thetie-down ratchet assembly according to claim 6 in combination with across beam including two substantially parallel bars spaced apart todefine a gap therebetween, a portion of the tie passing between thebars, and the portion of the tie passing between the bars being foldedto pass between the bars.
 8. The combination according to claim 7wherein the gap has a gap width approximately equal to the tie width. 9.A hole adaptor securement component for attachment to a vehicle framemember having a reference hole, the securement component comprising asubstantially cylindrical reference hole insert configured and sized tofit with slip clearance into the reference hole.
 10. The securementcomponent according to claim 9 further comprising a base plate havingthe hole insert attached thereto.
 11. The securement component accordingto claim 10 wherein the hole insert is centrally positioned on the baseplate.
 12. The securement component according to claim 10 wherein thehole insert is spaced apart from a center of the base plate.
 13. Thesecurement component according to claim 9 further comprising asubstantially cylindrical adapter ring defining a central openingreceiving the referenced hole insert therein, the adapter ring beingconfigured and sized to fit with slip clearance in a larger referencehole.
 14. The securement component according to claim 9 furthercomprising amounting mechanism for slidably mounting the securementcomponent on a cross beam.
 15. The securement component according toclaim 9 in combination with a tie-down ratchet assembly including anelongated tie having a tie width, a tie length, and a free end; a tieattachment for holding the free end of the tie in a desired location;and a ratchet mechanism operatively engaging the tie to incrementallydecrease a portion of the tie length of the tie between the free end andthe ratchet mechanism.